Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

Trunk666

Mar 21, 2024 3:35 PM

102 Comments

Joined Jun 2017

Trunk666Mar 21, 2024 3:35 PM

102 Comments

Quote from docu

:

I mean to say that I already have an automatic scheduled irrigation/sprinkler system. It's just a "dumb" one, not a connected "smart" one. I'm not certain if it's worth upgrading and curious if others have done this and feel like it's worthwhile

I upgraded a dumb controller with this one. I'm not sure where you live, but I was amazed at how infrequently the sprinklers run with the Rachio controller, especially in cooler months. I think a lot of people are misguided about how frequently a lawn needs watering. Where some people may be watering 3x/week between May and September, during the cooler months, my sprinklers may run once every other week. The controller easily paid for itself with no downside as far as lawn health goes. Just make sure to set your sprinkler type, soil type, and slope correctly.

1

docu

Mar 21, 2024 3:39 PM

816 Comments

Joined Jan 2011

docuMar 21, 2024 3:39 PM

816 Comments

Quote from Trunk666

:

I upgraded a dumb controller with this one. I'm not sure where you live, but I was amazed at how infrequently the sprinklers run with the Rachio controller, especially in cooler months. I think a lot of people are misguided about how frequently a lawn needs watering. Where some people may be watering 3x/week between May and September, during the cooler months, my sprinklers may run once every other week. The controller easily paid for itself with no downside as far as lawn health goes. Just make sure to set your sprinkler type, soil type, and slope correctly.

It does not rain frequently where I live, only in the winter months. But all of the glowing reviews made me pull the trigger. Appreciate the response

Pratticus

Mar 22, 2024 3:42 PM

600 Comments

Joined Nov 2010

PratticusMar 22, 2024 3:42 PM

600 Comments

Just installed this to replace a 3 zone, 25 year old Rainbird controller.

I suppose anyone could encounter issues, but I have to say this was incredibly easy. The most "difficult" part of the installation was how to remove the old controller!

On a scale of 1-10 -
DIY/tech rating (me): 4/7
DIY/tech rating (Rachio): 1/1

Oh, and for anyone in the ABQ area, there is a $25 rebate available through 505outside.com!

I have no doubt that the fact the controller is smart and knows the weather will pay me back the $75 final cost in a couple of years.

Last edited by Pratticus March 22, 2024 at 08:48 AM.

dclive

Mar 22, 2024 7:27 PM

6.3K Comments

Joined Mar 2008

dcliveMar 22, 2024 7:27 PM

6.3K Comments

Quote from zarraza

:

Does this allow for hookup to current "raw wire" electrical? I don't have any plugs near our current timer but I hate those manualmanual click dial timers. I had a bhyve orbit at my old house and loved it, but it allowed for "raw wire" hookup to connect into current system wiring with ease.

Sorry, I am not sure what "raw wire" electrical is. It simply uses the wiring from the spinklers, which AFAIK hasn't changed (in my area, at least) for 30+ years. You can google Rachio wiring to get a pic of the wiring type used.

Tito007

Mar 23, 2024 2:39 AM

24 Comments

Joined May 2012

Tito007Mar 23, 2024 2:39 AM

24 Comments

Quote from BuddyLove99

:

Is it easy to convert from a 10 zone rainbird system? Is there a quick way to rewire, assuming no wire tags?

Yes. Very easy. You can look YouTube video on it - you will love this thing

Jack2o

Mar 23, 2024 5:28 PM

808 Comments

Joined Mar 2012

Jack2oMar 23, 2024 5:28 PM

808 Comments

I automate my whole house doing a rebuild but this controller is the smartest of them all.

It is set it and forget it.

I have one schedule for each season. It saves me so much water also.

1

qdoba

Mar 23, 2024 5:51 PM

765 Comments

Joined Jul 2009

qdobaMar 23, 2024 5:51 PM

765 Comments

This just arrived and it took less than 5 minutes to uninstall my hunter controller and have this up and running.

zarraza

Mar 24, 2024 1:46 AM

267 Comments

Joined Aug 2007

zarrazaMar 24, 2024 1:46 AM

267 Comments

Quote from dclive

:

Sorry, I am not sure what "raw wire" electrical is. It simply uses the wiring from the spinklers, which AFAIK hasn't changed (in my area, at least) for 30+ years. You can google Rachio wiring to get a pic of the wiring type used.

The picture shows a power brick…we have no outlets to plug in power so it needs to be hardwired into our electrical box like my current timer.

dclive

Mar 24, 2024 1:49 AM

6.3K Comments

Joined Mar 2008

dcliveMar 24, 2024 1:49 AM

6.3K Comments

Quote from zarraza

:

The picture shows a power brick…we have no outlets to plug in power so it needs to be hardwired into our electrical box like my current timer.

Buy a $10 adapter? https://www.amazon.com/Pigtail-Su...B07VW5VRX7
Or just run a line?

Last edited by dclive March 23, 2024 at 06:53 PM.

milkmee6

Mar 24, 2024 2:13 AM

246 Comments

Joined Jul 2018

milkmee6Mar 24, 2024 2:13 AM

246 Comments

I currently have an Intermatic manual timer that runs off 220v that connects to the pump. I was looking to install a WiFi controller, but they all seem to use 110v. Can I install a 110v timer like this somehow?

Barmeethius

Mar 24, 2024 2:10 PM

64 Comments

Joined Aug 2016

BarmeethiusMar 24, 2024 2:10 PM

64 Comments

Quote from milkmee6

:

I currently have an Intermatic manual timer that runs off 220v that connects to the pump. I was looking to install a WiFi controller, but they all seem to use 110v. Can I install a 110v timer like this somehow?

The Rachio has a master pump controller that will output 24volts AC when the sprinkler system is running. You will need to install a 220volt ac relay that is activated by 24vac. It would essentially replace your timer, you would take the hot power going into your timer and attach it to the input side of the relay. The output side would go to your pump. The relay input would be a new wire you would have to run to the Rachio. Orbit sells a relay already in a box, it just depends if your pump is 2hp or under.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Orbit-Gr...cted=false

Here is the Rachio manual and if you scroll down it shows how to add the pump start relay.

https://support.rachio.com/en_us/...-B1njPIyYD

1

BEHAPPY8

Mar 25, 2024 12:41 PM

336 Comments

Joined Nov 2010

BEHAPPY8Mar 25, 2024 12:41 PM

336 Comments

Is it worth upgrading from Rachio-2 to Rachio-3 only for the Weather Intelligence™ Plus?

Cubeeless

Mar 25, 2024 2:47 PM

528 Comments

Joined Feb 2012

CubeelessMar 25, 2024 2:47 PM

528 Comments

If you start from zero, which other products are recommended/require to make this a fully setup system?

gmxno

Mar 26, 2024 4:07 AM

914 Comments

Joined Aug 2010

gmxnoMar 26, 2024 4:07 AM

914 Comments

There is big (i mean long) blue LED always On, I could not figure it out to turn it off and neither could google find a solution. Just wondering if anyone know a way to turn it off (I don't want to put a masking tape over the LED as few suggested in the Rachio blog)

Ehcuod

Apr 2, 2024 3:54 AM

117 Comments

Joined Apr 2020

EhcuodApr 2, 2024 3:54 AM

117 Comments

Really wish I would've got this deal. Has anyone seen anything similar elsewhere?

2

Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

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